Korean-British activist wins British royal order for helping North Korean defectors

Posted : 2019-01-06 15:28

Updated : 2019-01-06 17:54

Sokeel Park, South Korea Country Director for Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), has been nominated to receive the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen's New Year Honors in the U.K. Korea Times file

By Jung Da-min, Park Si-sooA Korean-British human rights activist is among the recipients of this year's Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). Sokeel John Park, 34, South Korea country director for U.S.-based NGO Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), was honored for "services to U.K./Korea relations," the British government said in a statement. Park has contributed to LiNK's mission of helping North Koreans flee from the isolated country since 2010. More than 1,000 North Koreans have escaped with the NGO's help. The schedule for the awards ceremony is not fixed yet."It is a massive honor, and very humbling, to receive an MBE in the New Year's Honors from Queen Liz," Park said in a statement on Jan. 4."There are many unknown heroes making huge sacrifices ― sometimes even the ultimate sacrifice ― for the cause of the North Korean people's freedom, far from public recognition and sometimes even without their family's knowledge. It is to them that I dedicate this honor."He said North Korean refugees were not the "victims" but the "driving forces" to change the isolated state."One day we shall overcome, and the North Korean people will gain the freedoms and basic rights that the rest of us take for granted, and they will amaze the world as their potential is unleashed," he said.Park co-directed "The Jangmadang Generation" last year, a documentary on North Korea's social and cultural chances from the perspective of 10 young North Koreans in their 20-30s. The film was released with subtitles in 10 languages. To watch the documentary: